Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Honolulu, according to Yelp
Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.
The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.
As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.
No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Honolulu using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#30. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1103 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 307 Lewers St Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Kalihi Bar-B-Q Drive-Inn
- Rating: 4.0/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2011 N School St Honolulu, HI 96819
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Gen Korean BBQ House
- Rating: 4.0/5 (3598 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 4250 Honolulu, HI 96814
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Chee Hoo BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 2330 Kalakaua Ave Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Yakiniku Sizzle
- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 711 Cooke St Honolulu, HI 96813
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Hot Pot
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Matsuri Tori Ton
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 208 Kapuni St Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Japanese, Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Topped Waikiki
- Rating: 4.5/5 (388 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 333 Royal Hawaiian Ave Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Liliha Drive Inn
- Rating: 4.5/5 (256 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1408 Liliha St Ste 101 Honolulu, HI 96817
- Categories: Barbecue, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Bozie Jones Bar B Q
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: 2105 S King St Honolulu, HI 96826
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Guava Smoked
- Rating: 4.5/5 (301 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1637 Republican St Honolulu, HI 96819
- Categories: Barbecue, Comfort Food, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Eat my Meat LLC
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 2829 Awaawaloa St Honolulu, HI 96819
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Kau Kau Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (468 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 852 Mapunapuna St Honolulu, HI 96819
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Volcano Skewer House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 808 Sheridan St Unit 109 Honolulu, HI 96814
- Categories: Barbecue, Chinese, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Kam's Meat Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (19 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 145 N King St Honolulu, HI 96817
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue, Meat Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Khan Skewer Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- Address: 925 Isenberg St Honolulu, HI 96826
- Categories: Barbecue, Chinese, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Han's Korean BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 500 Ala Moana Blvd Ste E-1 Honolulu, HI 96813
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Guava Smoked
- Rating: 4.5/5 (402 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 567 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Barbecue, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Mei Mei Chinese BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1120 Maunakea St Ste 123 Honolulu, HI 96817
- Categories: Barbecue, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Japanese BBQ Yoshi
- Rating: 4.5/5 (357 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1316 Young St Honolulu, HI 96814
- Categories: Barbecue, Japanese, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Niu Baguette BBQ & Noodle Soup
- Rating: 4.5/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 709 Cooke St Honolulu, HI 96813
- Categories: Vietnamese, Noodles, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#10. El Chino Loco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Barbecue, Asian Fusion, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#9. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2752 Woodlawn Dr Ste 5-111 Honolulu, HI 96822
- Categories: Barbecue, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Sunset Texas Barbecue
- Rating: 4.5/5 (457 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 443 Cooke St Honolulu, HI 96813
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Fong's Meat Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 145 N King St Ste 15 Honolulu, HI 96817
- Categories: Meat Shops, Barbecue, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#6. No Name BBQ Sandwich
- Rating: 4.5/5 (621 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3394 Waialae Ave Honolulu, HI 96816
- Categories: Shaved Ice, Sandwiches, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Soulfuziongrill
- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: Jefferson Elementary Famers Market Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Barbecue, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#4. TY's BBQ and Grill
- Rating: 5.0/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 1913 Dudoit Ln Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Salo Salo
- Rating: 5.0/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 1502 Liliha St Honolulu, HI 96817
- Categories: Filipino, Asian Fusion, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Blu Dogz
- Rating: 5.0/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 333 Ward Ave Honolulu, HI 96814
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Paradise Foods Express
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 209 Kaiulani Ave Honolulu, HI 96815
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
